There is nothing more rewarding than students learning something first-hand while simultaneously benefiting their local community. That’s what NOVA Middle School in Olympia delivers when its students participate in curriculum programs for highly capable learners that also tap community members’ expertise. The programs involve opportunities for collaborative experiments in Advanced Science; a “Get a Life” exercise in finding solutions to life’s challenges; and an all-school Mercado where students transform the space into a vibrant marketplace and conduct all transactions in Spanish.
NOVA’s Collaborative Experiments in Advanced Science Connect Olympia Middle School Students with Local Issues and People
Teacher David Campbell’s Advanced Science students get to experience local issues firsthand and collaborate with local people as they learn about their environment. One example is how students studied the impact of plastics. Students worked with Lee First of Twin Harbors Waterkeeper, an organization that protects and improves water quality and coastal habitats. “Lee taught them how to extract microplastics from beach sand,” says Campbell.
Students learned to use a microscope to distinguish synthetic from natural fibers, which helped them analyze sands they gathered from Tolmie State Park and Squaxin Park. “It was a natural setting away from the school,” says Campbell. The students found microplastics in the local parks’ sands, which did not surprise them because of their research. “As the unit continued, we delved into plastics pollution,” says Campbell. “We have students consider all the different parts of the plastics problem.”
Campbell says this hands-on curriculum project identifies local issues and taps local people to demonstrate a wider issue or problem, using NOVA’s approach to “systems thinking.” “It’s a lot of what we do here at NOVA,” he says. “The lens of ‘systems thinking’ is: how do all parts relate to each other and influence each other. It’s very powerful.”
‘Get a Life’ Teaches Finding Solutions to Real Life Challenges Through Experiential Learning for NOVA Middle School’s Highly Capable Sixth Graders
Through the “Get a Life” curriculum, NOVA sixth graders experience an adult’s “life” that includes unexpected challenges. Students receive a fictional career, salary, family and educational resume. From there, they must learn to manage that life and deal with changes in jobs, family developments, and more.
“They realize how much work it takes to be an adult and raise a family,” says teacher Linda Manning. “For example, they just got a new job and now they need to move their family to some other place in Washington. They need to buy or rent a house. Or their car breaks down and they need a new car. With a house and car, they will need to bring a down payment.”
Students write a back story about their fictional life, explaining their situation and hopes. “They have to think through all the elements,” says Manning. “For example, if I have children, how will I support them?” She says they must work within a budget, using data on the average American’s spending habits. Students learn to adjust to “lucky” and “unlucky” chances that alter their fictional life. Students have visited the Twin Star Credit Union to understand finances, heard community speakers, and looked at home buying websites. At the end of the program, students recap what they have learned.
“It helps them put things in perspective,” says Manning.
Mercado Spanish Market Simulation is An Exciting Hands-On Experience at NOVA Middle School in Olympia
Spanish teacher Annie Weldon learned about the Mercado “All School Marketplace Simulation” curriculum while at a conference. “I dreamed about doing this,” she says. “Students selling things they made and buying things with ‘pesos’ and it’s all in Spanish.”
That’s why she brought the Mercado to NOVA. In this curriculum, students create something to sell, such as a food, crafts, or games. While learning Spanish they also prepare for the market by designing their booths and advertising. Once every three years, students open the Mercado, which takes over the school, for a day to sell and buy their wares. All teachers and students participate, and parents and alumni are invited. Transactions are in Spanish, using fake “pesos” available at a “bank.”
“The things the kids come up with are so great,” says Weldon. “They get so much out of it.” Examples of student wares include earrings, hats, ceramics, games like ring toss, and musical numbers. Students must bargain as they spend half of their day selling and half buying.
“The thing I like most is that it gives kids an authentic experience in using Spanish,” says Weldon.
Contact NOVA Middle School to Learn More
NOVA Middle School serves highly capable sixth through eighth grade students in a small school setting that focuses on the whole child. For more information, visit the website or contact the school.
NOVA Middle School
2020 22nd Ave SE, Olympia
360.491.7097
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